Freed Read online

  Halley stepped from foot to foot while Phoebe tapped a toe impatiently against the filthy floor. Juliette, meanwhile, twisted her hands together, unable to control her nerves while waiting for the confrontation to come.

  Suddenly the door behind them opened and a police officer stood beside their mother, his hand on her arm as he pushed her inside. “Ten minutes.”

  Meg strode around to a chair and lowered herself into it. Wearing a ripped and dirty shirt and a pair of ratty jeans, her light brown hair greasy and hanging in limp strands, she looked like she belonged in the prison. No light shone in her blue eyes and lines bracketed her mouth.

  And her hands shook as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “My girls! I knew when the chips were down you’d come help me.”

  As the oldest and apparently the one with the hardest heart against their mother, Phoebe had insisted on speaking first.

  She stepped up to the table and braced her hands on it. “Good job, Meg. You violated your parole and you’re looking at more time courtesy of another drug bust thanks to your most recent guy. You really do hang out with the finest people. I hope they’re going to bail you out, because I won’t be helping you.”

  Meg blinked in surprise, as if she’d expected pity from her oldest and not disdain.

  She shifted her gaze to Halley. “Honey?”

  “Oh, no.” Halley shook her head. “I stopped being anything to you the day you stole my ring right out from under me. You used me, under the pretense of saying you wanted a relationship. So no, I’m not your honey or darling. I’m not even your daughter anymore.”

  Her mother’s strong façade crumbled and real panic crossed her haggard features.

  At her sisters’ words, a lump rose to Juliette’s throat. No matter what, this was their only parent, and they were severing ties. Walking away. It was the right thing to do. She just wished it weren’t so painful.

  Meg looked to her last child. “Juliette? You’ll help me, right? Pay my bail if they’ll give me any? Get me a lawyer?”

  She swallowed hard, gathered her courage, and stepped forward, taking her turn. “No, I won’t. You weren’t there for me as a child. You chose money and drugs over being a mother. You don’t deserve to have daughters now.” Her words caught in her throat, but she said them aloud, like her sisters had, making her point.

  They’d all made their point.

  “Girls, please.” Meg rose to her feet, wringing her hands. “I know I’ve made mistakes but I want to change. I want–”

  “We don’t care what you want,” Phoebe said. Reaching out, she grasped Halley’s hand.

  Halley, in turn, took Juliette’s.

  “We came to tell you this is good-bye,” Halley said and started for the door.

  Holding on to her sister’s hand, Juliette glanced at her mother once more, turned, and walked out of the room, following after them.

  * * *

  Hours later, Juliette sat in her apartment with an open bottle of wine. She stared out the window of her bedroom that overlooked the parking lot. Not exactly the best view, but she didn’t need bright scenery when her mood was blue. The sadness of the day still permeated her very soul.

  Her sisters had gone to their men but Juliette didn’t want to burden Braden with any more of her problems. He’d already helped her after her car and apartment were broken into. She didn’t want to keep coming to him with her issues. He had enough on his plate with his father’s situation. He didn’t need to add her to his concerns.

  Her cell phone buzzed and she glanced down. Her father was calling. Just the man she didn’t want to talk to. Any I told you so’s from him would not be welcome. And if he knew of the two break-ins and the fact that she’d gone to see her mother in jail, that would be exactly what he’d say.

  She’d spoken to him a few days ago and again he’d begged her to come home, but she’d told him in no uncertain terms she was staying here. As she’d informed him, she had her job with Phoebe that was giving her a newfound sense of independence and pride, and she was building a life here in Rosewood Bay with her sisters and their families.

  And she had Braden, not that she’d said as much.

  She took a sip of wine and let the fruity taste glide down her throat. Not only hadn’t she told her father about the car break-in, she hadn’t told him she was in a relationship, either. Given how overprotective he was, he’d want to know more information than she was comfortable sharing about the man with whom she was involved. Her relationship with Braden meant so much to her, she wanted to keep it safe, healthy, and private. Her father had no right to know anything more than she wanted to share.

  She told herself it wasn’t because he wouldn’t approve of Braden… which he wouldn’t. Because Braden was a solid, working-class guy who didn’t fit her father’s idea of the perfect man for his princess daughter.

  She sighed, and when a knock sounded, it was a relief from her thoughts, which had strayed back to her mother in prison. She wiped a tear from her eye, put her glass down on her nightstand, and headed to her door.

  A glance told her it was Braden.

  Happy to see him, she opened the door and let him in. “Hi!”

  “Hi, yourself,” he said in a gruff voice.

  He stepped past her and walked inside without speaking.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked in the wake of his silence.

  “We need to talk.” He glanced up and met her gaze. “Wait. Have you been crying?” He clasped her chin in his hand and studied her face intently.

  She sighed, knowing she had to explain. “I had a little drama today.” She bit down on the inside of her cheek. “My mother called Halley from jail. She was arrested and expected one of us to bail her out.”

  “Shit,” he muttered. “What happened?”

  She explained the trip to the jail and the confrontation that had followed. “Walking away from my mother in jail – despite the fact that I don’t really know her and never did – it hurt.” She blinked and a tear fell.

  He caught it with his thumb, brushing the moisture away. “I’m sorry.”

  She nodded. “Watching my sisters have their say before I did the same? It was painful.” She shook her head, recalling the experience in vivid detail. “The amazing thing? My mother seemed shocked. Like she really thought at least one of us would bail her out.”

  “She was never your mother,” he said in a low tone, angry on her behalf.

  “No, but when I was little, I had this vision of what it would have been like had she lived – and when I did, I thought of a mom who cooked meals and braided my hair and held me when I cried. Meeting Meg, coming face-to-face with reality, it was such a disappointment,” she said, her voice cracking.

  He toyed with a strand of her hair, reassuring her just by being there. “Today was a shock, that’s all.”

  “And how are your sisters?” he asked.

  She rolled her shoulders. “I imagine about as good as I am. We’ll all live with what we did, understand it was for the best, but know it hurts anyway.”

  “You’re strong and I’m proud of you,” he murmured.

  She smiled leaning against his chest. “I’m glad you came by.” She let the silence envelop them, listening to his heartbeat. “I’m glad I have you in my life.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” he promised her, wrapping her in his arms, holding tight, making his promise physical as well as emotional.

  And she believed him.

  “You said you wanted to talk?” she asked, tipping her head back to meet his gaze.

  “It can wait until later. You need time to process what happened today with your mom.”

  “Thank you for giving me what I need.” She slid her arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his jaw. With the graze of her lips against his skin, her body sizzled with awareness, that delicious manly scent she associated with him seeping into her pores.

  He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist, notching her sex against the hard
ridge of his erection, stifling a moan at the intense sensation that flowed through her.

  “Kiss me and make me forget,” she said.

  She threaded her fingers into his hair and sealed her lips over his. Mouths touched, the spark lit, and flames erupted, the kiss quickly escalating into something fierce and breathtaking. He lifted his hand to the back of her head, holding her in place while his mouth devoured hers. Warm lips, searching tongues, she was dizzy with the power of their joining.

  He walked her to the sofa and deposited her on the cushion, tearing at her shirt, pulling it up and over her head. Her shorts came next, down and off her legs, panties along with it. He kicked off his shoes and socks. She undressed him next, his shirt going the way of hers, his jeans coming off with his boxer briefs until his erection sprung free.

  He eased down beside her as she gripped his shaft in her hand and slid her hand up and down his smooth, hard cock, her thumb rubbing over the pre-come on the head.

  He groaned, dipping his head and pulling one nipple into his mouth. Her hips bucked with the force of the suction, her sex spasming with the pull of his lips, the grazing of his teeth.

  She pumped her hand up and down again, her hand now slick.

  “Fuck,” he said on a groan, jerking his hips in time to her movement before slowing himself down. “I don’t want to come in your hand,” he gritted out.

  “No, I want you coming inside me.” She lifted herself up and slid one leg over his waist so she straddled him, positioning herself over his straining shaft.

  Then she released her hold and slid down, taking him inside her, their bodies joining together, her clit grinding against his pubic bone. The shock went through her, a delicious surge of desire cascading through her system.

  “Move,” he said, his hands resting on her waist.

  She began to push herself up and down on the thick cock inside her. With every lift and drop of her lower body, the waves of arousal washed over her, higher and stronger than before. She moved quickly, searching for the elusive orgasm just out of reach, but Braden squeezed her hips, slowing her down.

  What started as frenzied need became a slow, steady, overwhelming experience.

  “Look at me.”

  She met his gaze, their eyes locked, and an emotional understanding passed between them, the love she felt for him expressed back to her with his body. Warmth and connection overwhelmed her as she fell the rest of the way, head over heels for him. Her body was gone along with her mind, while, with his hands on her hips guiding her, she rocked against him, undulating waves of pleasure continuously building, taking her higher.

  “Oh God.” Her body spasmed, the beginning of her climax hitting her suddenly. “I’m coming.” The next surge took her over… and under, sweeping her away in unbelievable pleasure as she came apart in his arms.

  Braden followed, his climax on the heels of her own, his big body stiffening before he came inside her, triggering another powerful orgasm inside her, causing her to cry out as she came again.

  She collapsed against him, breathing heavily into his neck, trying to catch her breath.

  * * *

  Braden had the night to himself, Lucy having slept in the guest room at his house. He woke up to find himself alone in Juliette’s bed, the weight of what he had to do resting on his shoulders. He’d fallen in love with the one woman he should have stayed away from, at least until he was free and clear to come to her without the burden of working for her father hanging over him.

  Instead he’d thought he could handle things. He hadn’t counted on the relationship consuming him, becoming real and meaningful, on not wanting to live without her.

  Now he risked losing her.

  Juliette stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp, wearing a short silk robe tied around her body, looking sexy and irresistible, but he had to focus on more important things than their physical attraction.

  “Good morning,” she said with a smile.

  “Morning.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed and met his gaze. “So you never told me what the nursing homes said about taking your dad,” she said before he had the chance to put his plan to tell her into action.

  He put a hand behind the back of his head and groaned. “I’m hoping a bed will open up this week. Of course, that comes at the expense of someone else losing their battle with this damned disease.” The usual flow of melancholy at the subject washed over him. “So essentially, I’m hoping he can move in soon.”

  “Have you told your father about impending changes?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “I don’t want to add to his daily stress. If he panics, it’s all he’ll think about – when he’s in the present, anyway – and stress can trigger episodes of forgetfulness. I’ll wait until I get a call, then tell him the day before. I’m afraid to give him more than one night to mull it over and digest.”

  “I’m sorry. I know how difficult this is for you.” She reached out and covered his hand with hers.

  He managed a smile. “I don’t have any illusions. Until he sees it’s best for him, he’s going to be hurt and angry, and I have to live with that.” He dipped his head. “He’s going to hate me.”

  “I’ll help you any way I can,” she said, her fingers wrapping around his hand.

  “I know you will.” He looked down at their intertwined hands. “Juliette, I need to talk to you.”

  “Okay.” She looked at him, curiosity in her blue eyes.

  “It’s about how we met.” Before he could continue, a loud banging sounded at her door.

  “Sorry. Hang on.” She rose and tightened the sash on her robe, then walked out of the bedroom and to the door.

  Braden slid out of bed, reaching for his jeans as he heard Juliette’s voice.

  “Dad! Oh my God. What are you doing here?”

  Son of a bitch, Braden thought. Talk about time running out.

  Chapter Eleven

  Juliette stood face-to-face with her father, his frustration and anger with her clear in both his expression and his tone. He wore his usual three-piece suit, like he was dressed for work, and his frown furrowed his brows.

  She’d been putting him off all summer and she had no choice but to make her stand with him now.

  “Dad–”

  “I’ve had enough of your so-called independence. It’s time to come home.”

  She straightened her shoulders. “I’m sorry, did you just order me to return?” she asked, appalled. It was bad enough he was mocking her need to stand on her own, but treating her like a child?

  “I waited for you to do it on your own but that hasn’t happened.” Her father smoothed a hand over his left breast pocket, lingering on the region of his heart in an obvious attempt to manipulate her, something she was finished allowing him to do.

  “I told you I’m staying in Rosewood Bay.”

  “Where it’s not safe? Someone already broke into your car and–”

  “Wait. How do you know that?” Juliette asked.

  He hesitated before answering. “The insurance company called about the deductible.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “I dealt with the insurance company. They were directly in touch with me.” They had no reason to speak to her father. Something wasn’t adding up.

  He shook his head sharply. “Juliette, focus on what’s important and be reasonable. You’re living in this shack of an apartment,” he said, gesturing around her. “The place has a dark entryway overlooking nothing but a parking lot, so someone was able to break in. Just how is it you think you’re fine here on your own?” His voice rose along with his anger.

  “How do you know her apartment was broken into?” Braden asked, joining her.

  A glance told her he’d taken the time to get dressed. He didn’t look like he’d just rolled out of her bed, but he had walked out of her bedroom, something her father wouldn’t miss.

  “Were you responsible for the break-ins, hoping to drive her back home where you think she belongs?�
�� Braden stepped up beside her.

  Heart in her throat, she glanced at her father, knowing Braden’s accusation made sense. “Dad?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

  Her father’s gaze fell on Braden, his scowl immediate. “So now you’re slumming with the locals?” Disdain dripped from his tone.

  “Dad, that’s rude!” Juliette exclaimed, but she noticed he hadn’t answered Braden’s question. “Did you set up the break-ins?” She prayed with everything in her she was wrong. That he hadn’t compounded a lifetime of lies with something so awful.

  “You’re questioning me? That’s impertinent considering you’re sleeping with the man I hired to keep an eye on you.” Her father’s gaze zeroed in on Braden. “I recognize you from your website, Mr. Clark. I knew there was something going on between you and my daughter.”

  His words slapped her across the face. “I’m sorry, what?” She looked from her father to Braden and back to her father again. “This can’t be possible.” Her stomach twisted in denial and she glanced at Braden again, begging him to deny her father’s words.

  “Juliette, let’s talk about this alone,” Braden said, his tone all but imploring her.

  Which meant it was true. The man who’d befriended her that first day in town, the man she’d come to trust to have her back time after time, the man she’d grown to love had betrayed her.

  “You work for him?” she asked, horrified. Pain laced her tone as much as it cut through her heart.

  His expression held remorse and agony. “Not anymore. I returned his money,” he said. “When I realized I… loved you, I couldn’t keep it or take any more.” He shoved his hands into his front pockets, studying her intently. “I started to tell you this morning, remember?”

  She blinked at the memory of his need to talk before her father’s arrival. “But you had all summer to mention it,” she said, heart thudding painfully in her chest. “Instead you let everything between us start with and become a lie.”

  “That’s not true and if you look in your heart, you know I’m right.”